The purpose of this summary provided by the Communications Department of The Florida Bar is to present media coverage that may be of interest to members. Opinions expressed in the articles are attributable solely to the authors. The Florida Bar does not adopt or endorse any opinions expressed below. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
December 05, 2024
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The Florida Bar
FEDERAL ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATIONS INCORPORATE RPPTL RECOMMENDATIONS
The Florida Bar | Article | December 05, 2024
New federal anti-money laundering regulations released just before the Labor Day weekend include recommendations proposed by the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, says former RPPTL section Chair Melissa Murphy. The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, spent much of last year developing new reporting requirements for “non-financed real estate transfers,” citing a need to combat money laundering in the U.S. real estate market. Murphy and other attorneys warned that while well-intended, some of the proposed requirements could delay some transactions, or add additional expense, without benefitting law enforcement.
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Civil Justice
FLORIDA HOMEOWNER FEATURED ON ‘60 MINUTES’ WANTS CLASS ACTION AGAINST INSURER
Tampa Bay Times | Article | December 04, 2024
After Hurricane Ian ripped off part of Virginia and Jeff Rapkin’s North Port home, an adjuster sent to assess the damage on behalf of Tampa-based Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. concluded the family was owed $231,368. But Heritage originally told the Rapkins that the adjuster concluded they were owed just over $15,000 — or $10,354 after their deductible. That was a lie amounting to criminal “fraud” under state law, the Rapkins and their lawyer alleged in a Tuesday [Dec. 3] court filing. The Rapkins are now seeking to turn their lawsuit into a class action against the company. Their Jacksonville-based attorney, Steven Bush, said there are probably thousands of potential plaintiffs against several Florida-based insurance companies. Insurance adjusters since at least 2019 have alleged that companies have at times manipulated homeowners’ assessments to reject or lowball claims.
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Legal Profession
INITIATIVES EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE 4TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Jacksonville Daily Record | Column | December 05, 2024
Florida Health Justice Project Pro Bono Director Ronnie Graham writes: “The 4th Judicial Circuit is pioneering mental health initiatives that address the complex intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system. The Mental Health Offender Program (MHOP) and the Mental Health Court are successfully diverting low-level offenders with mental health diagnoses away from jail and into treatment. The 4th Circuit should build on these successes by developing additional programs for a wider range of individuals. Attorneys within the circuit should actively advocate for the expansion of mental health services, ensuring that comprehensive support is available to all who need it . . . As legal advocates, it is our responsibility to push for these expanded mental health services. While MHOP and Mental Health Court are effective for those already in the system, we must advocate for expanding mental health services targeting a broader inmate population.”
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United States Supreme Court
HOW COULD THE SUPREME COURT’S TRANSGENDER BAN CASE AFFECT FLORIDA?
Tampa Bay Times | Article | December 04, 2024
Earlier this year, a Florida federal judge ruled that restricting medical treatments for transgender children was unconstitutional. That decision invalidated much of a 2023 law, which prohibited children with gender dysphoria from accessing treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy. On Wednesday [Dec. 4], the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments over a similar Tennessee law. The court will likely decide if Tennessee’s law violates the equal protection guarantee in the U.S. Constitution. Almost immediately after the federal judge struck Florida’s law down, the state appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Legal observers on both sides of Florida’s fight say that the U.S. Supreme Court decision could have a serious impact on the Florida appeal.